Follow along this week as we look at 10 top moments from recent LSU-Alabama history. Along with AL.com, each day we'll highlight two games that stand out, one from LSU's perspective and one from Alabama's. Share your thoughts--and tell us about some of your favorite memories of the rivalry.

LSU safety Eric Reid is as cerebral a player as the Tigers have ever had. He knew the importance of sticking to his assignment, but he also knew when to trust his instincts.

That confidence allowed him to make the biggest play of the game in a 9-6 overtime victory against Alabama in 2011 and the biggest defensive play of LSU's season. He left the man he was guarding and raced to catch up with wide-open Alabama tight end Michael Williams. Reid caught up with Williams in time to leap for the pass with Williams and strip it away for a remarkable play, which proved to be the turning point.

LSU would go on to a 13-0 record before losing 21-0 in a BCS Championship Game rematch with Alabama. But Reid's play still resonates as one of the most memorable and timely in LSU history.

In a game that would end without a touchdown, Reid's play was monumental. Alabama appeared ready to break through with a first down at the Tiger 28. After a long injury timeout, Alabama coach Nick Saban called a gadget play with wide receiver-turned-wildcat-quarterback Marquis Maze at the controls.

Reid was guarding Brandon Gibson lined up on the left of the formation. Williams was lined up on the right side in front of LSU linebacker Tahj Jones. Maze faked a handoff to DeAndrew White in motion from the right, while Gibson ran a crossing pattern and Williams, chucked at the line by Jones, ran free straight upfield.

SEC+: Key players in the Alabama-LSU showdownSEC+: Key players in the showdown: Who are the key players on either side of the ball for LSU and Alabama? Gary Laney of Advance Digital's national desk discusses with Jim Kleinpeter of Nola.com and Michael Casagrande of the Alabama Media Group.

Fortunately for Reid and LSU, Gibson chose to run behind umpire Casey Moreland and when Gibson's route intersected with Williams', Reid heard the voice inside his head.

"As a safety, you are taught not to get beat deep, keep the ball in front of you," Reid said. "Instinctively, I wanted to get behind that guy to make sure the ball stayed in front of me, so I left my man."

Had Gibson run in front of Moreland, Reid would not have had time to catch Williams. Maze also floated the pass high, which forced Williams to slow up. Reid got there and jumped as the ball arrived. The 6-foot-6, 269-pound Williams had it first at the apex of his jump, but couldn't secure it. By the time the two fell to the ground, Reid had wrestled it away.

"That was like an NFL play," LSU safety Brandon Taylor said. "That kind of play is the norm for us in practice."

LSU benefitted from the sharp eyes of back judge Rich Martinez, who had a clear view of the play and called it an interception all the way. The play was reviewed by the replay official and confirmed.

Reid was a sophomore, starting his 12th game as a Tiger. Two years later he's a starter at safety for the San Francisco 49ers and making a strong push for rookie honors.

"Guys that come in that have an ability to play, we play them," Miles said of Reid's accelerated progress. "They come to the field, and we asked him to learn. He was a confident learner who understood scheme very well.

"He is one of those guys who understands coaching, and as he matures and becomes ready to be a dominant player play after play, he will be ready to achieve that." -- Jim Kleinpeter

Alabama 21, LSU 17, November 3, 2012, Baton Rouge, La.

Punt, punt, fumble, punt, punt.

That was the Alabama's offense in the second half against LSU in 2012 before one of the most dramatic moments of the Nick Saban era. It was yet another trademark installment of the Crimson Tide-Tigers rivalry.

Appearing to be dead in the water as it trailed by a field goal, undefeated Alabama took possession at the Crimson Tide's 28-yard line with 1:34 to play at a raucous Tiger Stadium. Something was clearly different about quarterback AJ McCarron, who hadn't thrown for a single yard in the second half, as he completed three consecutive passes to Kevin Norwood for a combined 44 yards to move Alabama quickly into LSU territory.

"He was locked in," Alabama running back Eddie Lacy said. "He's always locked in every game, but it was something different this time, this drive. I mean, he knew he had to make plays."

McCarron's first incompletion of the possession, which was also intended for Norwood, set up second-and-10 from LSU's 28-yard line.

This time, he went away from Norwood and away from the downfield passing game, as he tossed a short screen to running back T.J. Yeldon. A couple of moves in the open field was all he needed to cross into the end zone and produce a moment that Daniel Moore promptly turned into a painting, "Death Valley Drive."

"I actually had a talk with (offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland)," center Barrett Jones said. "We were talking about what we wanted to run. I said screens have been there all night. He called it, and it was great." -- Andrew Gribble